Wednesday, July 25, 2012

A Great Giveaway, an Anniversary and News!

Hi all...

Thanks for the nice notes and well wishes. I am enjoying some quality time alone with my mother here in Tidewater Virginia. My grandmother had a long, colorful life, and I am lucky to count myself among the people she loved.

I wanted to take a moment to recognize that today marks five years of Vintage Kids' Books My Kid Loves. It was July 25, 2007 when I wrote my first post on Why I Built The Boogle House. It's been a great ride that saw my son grow from an infant to a full-fledged elementary schooler. As my aptly vandalized childhood copy of Winnie the Pooh states, "Now We Are 7!" I've enjoyed every minute of sharing the books we've loved with you all, and felt a small victory every time a reader was able to reconnect with a long lost love. Thanks to all who've joined us for even a small portion of the ride.

That said, there are going to be some changes here at VKBMKLs. After seven years of staying home with my son, I've decided that it is time for me to go back to work. I've taken a job with a publisher here in Texas, and couldn't be more thrilled with getting back in the game. However, between my own writing and work, that won't leave much time for this blog. But don't fear... I'm making the commitment from here on out to post at least every Monday. I might end of doing more here and there, but rest assured, I'll always be here bright and early Monday mornings to share a book.

I'm afraid this also means the end of the Great Monday Give. Though I will still be hosting giveaways occasionally, the weekly gives will stop.

Case in point, to celebrate these new beginnings, I have a great give sponsored by the incomparable New York Review Books Children's Collection, the best children's reprint house in the biz. A prize package of four great classics: The Backward Day by Ruth Krauss, Three Ladies Beside the Sea by Rhoda Levine and Edward Gorey, Uncle by JP Martin and Quentin Blake, and Pecos Bill. All you have to do to be entered to win this package of awesome is comment on this post between now and Sunday, August 5 at 11:59 PM CT. A winner will be selected at random and posted the next day.

Good luck to all, and in the coming weeks be expecting a surprise awesome interview, more weekly book love, and loads of old favorites to rediscover!

finding this blog was one of the most amazing things that ever happened to me. you reminded me of such wonderful books i had forgotten. you inspired me to write and be vulnerable. you have given so much of your time through this space and we have all been rewarded. thank you so much, b. i am so proud to call you a real, live, friend. good luck with your new job! xoxo meg

I've read every single post, and my book wish list has quadrupled since discovering your blog. You've greatly expanded my list of favorite authors and books, and constantly amaze me by bringing up more and more I don't know (very hard to do!). I thought of you today as I read "The Cow Who Fell into the Canal" with my daughter; one you introduced me to. I will miss your frequent posts dreadfully, but of course I understand! I look forward to many more Monday discoveries.

While I am saddened about seeing less at your awesome blog, I am excited for your publishing job! I love working with publishers and authors on a part time (feelance) basis, and I can imagine how much fun it would be to fo it full time. My son and I got a lot of recommendations from your blog, and my newer daughter is benefiting from it now while my son I starting to read mote on his own.

This give looks great, and amazingly, we don't have any of those books.

Congratulations on re-entering the workforce. I hop it brings as much joy to you as you have to our family in the rediscovering of some books and the perfect introduction to others.We look forward to more regardless of how many and when.Have a great time!

Congratulations on re-entering the workforce. I hop it brings as much joy to you as you have to our family in the rediscovering of some books and the perfect introduction to others.We look forward to more regardless of how many and when.Have a great time!

I have enjoyed reading your blog so much over the last few years, and you have introduced me to a lot of amazing books! Thank you! I look forward to more, even if the posts are infrequent, and I wish you the best in your new endeavors.

Congratulations on the new job -- and also on the shift in your life priorities -- and thank you for the 5 years of posts. I came relatively late to this blog, about a year ago, but the reams of books you've reviewed (and I've bought) over the years have made a huge difference in the reading time I spend with my older son, who is almost five now . . . and will surely benefit my little two year old as well. Again, thank you for sharing your impeccable taste and preserving five years of yourself on the net. Very best wishes to you and your family.

Checking your blog has been a highlight of my weekdays since discovering it several years ago. You've made me a far more educated thrift store shopper and introduced our family to so many wonderful titles. I'll really miss your frequent posting, but am grateful that you'll still be devoting some time to your blog and enthusiastic followers. Best of luck to you in your new undertakings and thanks again for all the fabulous posts over the years.

Happy, happy blogiversary! My blog is 5 years old too soon - at the beginning of next month. I've only recently discovered yours, but I wish I'd found it years ago. Proud owner of the Boogle House (which my son adores) thanks to you :-) Congrats on the new job!

Happy Anniversary! This is my favorite blog--always my first stop when I sit down to browse. I'll definitely miss the daily book goodness, but will look forward to Mondays. Congratulations on the new job--very exciting! And what a fabulous giveaway--we don't have any of those in our collection. Thanks!

I haven't visited the blog for awhile, but have always enjoyed it. Good luck with your changes and thanks, as ever, for all the recommendations. I've remembered many childhood favorites to share with my kids.

congrats on the new job! I will miss your posts. Your blog has had a special place in my heart, and has made my reading time with my son richer. He was 6 when I first came across your site, and is 11 now. I will keep tuning in, even if there is less happening. I'm sure what you will share will be worth my time! I'd love to know more about your new job, if you feel like sharing that info. Thinking good thoughts for you!

What an exciting and bittersweet time of changes for you. Happy birthday, anniversary, & new job. The give has been fantastic, but completely unnecessary to the overall awesomeness of your blog, and I look forward to whatever you have time to share.

You've done such an awesome job with this blog- it's been great to know that others cherish these children's literature gems, too! Many thanks for all your sharing thus far and congratulations on the new job. I can't wait to see what new surprises and discoveries you'll be unveiling for us in the future! Oh, and the New York Review Children's Books are the Best!

Congrats on the new job. I guess the giveaway is for US residents? If it's open to European readers of your blog, please count me in. Good luck in your new life, and thanks for all the reviews, I've discovered many books that I wouldn't have discovered otherwise.¡Gracias! Best regards from Barcelona, Spain,Marta http://abilingualbb.blogspot.com

Dear Burgin,Your blog is a treasure chest. Every morning I open it, wondering what new marvels I will find. When there is no new post, I rummage through the old ones. Thank you for introducing me to scores of fabulous books to share with my grandchildren. (Happily, they live near excellent libraries; otherwise all of my allowance might be spent on picture books.) I send you my very best wishes.m.